With hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in hand, Jiang Bai's restless heart instantly calmed down.
However, she didn't neglect the medicinal cuisine restaurant business because of this. The money was given by Zhao Yi, so she lacked confidence; only what she earned herself was truly reliable.
Ever since she welcomed Zhao Yi to come see the child, Zhao Yi has been coming over from next door every day to freeload meals. Eventually, everyone got used to it and set up a separate dining table for him in Zhao Ping'an's room.
Anyway, Zhao Ping'an isn't home often, so it's fine when he comes back; the son doesn't dislike his father.
Jiang Bai asked him for the money for the medicinal meal, and he widened his eyes: "You've already given me hundreds of thousands of taels, isn't that enough to pay for the medicinal meal I ate?"
Jiang Bai simply couldn't refute it. It was true that one was indebted to others for accepting their gifts, but Zhao Yi didn't seem to feel obligated to eat their food.
Zhao Ping'an lived in the school and only had one day off every seven days. Zhao Xile came back every day, but he didn't get home until evening. Zhao Yi sat from the moment the door opened in the morning until closing time, and he didn't find it annoying even though no one paid attention to him.
Jiang Bai was annoyed. She didn't know which website the book she had transmigrated to was from. How could the male protagonist have so much money without working? This was not scientific!
The shop's maids and waiters all knew Zhao Yi. Occasionally, they would tease him and Jiang Bai, and he would happily join in, showing his good temper.
Zhao Yi's reputation was unparalleled at the time.
Before Zhao Yi arrived, most people didn't know that Jiang Bai was already married.
She possessed the unique skill of making medicinal cuisine, which was coveted by many. However, those who initially tried to cause trouble were inexplicably and severely punished, leading to rumors that Jiang Bai had powerful backers.
At first, everyone thought that the powerful figure behind the restaurant was Ren Yunzhou, but unexpectedly, the two of them have had little contact since the restaurant opened.
Jiang Bai was beautiful, and after realizing they couldn't afford to offend her, she began to attract a swarm of suitors. After all, she was currently single, and if they succeeded, the medicinal cuisine restaurant would be theirs.
Although there are two troublesome individuals, Zhao Ping'an and Zhao Xile, Zhao Ping'an is older and has outstanding academic performance in school, so he has a bright future and can be promoted. Zhao Xile is a girl, so she won't cost much money, and we can even earn a dowry when she gets married.
Therefore, Miss Jiang became incredibly popular and sought-after in the county town.
It wasn't until Zhao Yi appeared that the men's desires were extinguished. Through some unofficial channels, they learned that Jiang Bai was actually Zhao Yi's lawfully wedded wife.
No wonder Jiang Bai looks down on everyone.
One day, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived.
A woman in her thirties, accompanied by a maid, barged in without an appointment.
Two greeters tried to stop them, but they couldn't; they were of low status and didn't dare to be forceful.
Upon receiving the news, Jiang Bai rushed from the kitchen to the front yard.
The woman glanced at her entire body with disdain and said, "So you're the one who seduced my man?"
"Your man is..." Jiang Bai was confused. You didn't even give your name or surname. Where am I supposed to take revenge on?
The woman thought she was putting on an act, but the maid spoke first: "It seems you've seduced too many people, and you can't even tell who we are."
Jiang Bai: What the hell? You can't even speak clearly. Are you here to scam money?
The woman cleared her throat and said, "My husband is Wang Zhongyi, the manager of Hongding Restaurant. I'm sure you all know him."
Jiang Bai cupped his hands in greeting: "So it's Madam Wang. May I ask what brings you here today?"
“Of course there is,” Madam Wang raised her chin, looking disdainful. “Ever since my husband rented the courtyard to you, he’s abandoned his family and children to come here every day. Today I’m here to see what kind of little vixen has bewitched my husband so much.”
“Madam Wang, you have to take responsibility for your words.” Jiang Bai narrowed his eyes, clearly a prelude to anger. “If Wang Zhongyi isn’t coming home, then go find Wang Zhongyi. Don’t bite people like a mad dog.”
"What did you say about me?" Madam Wang was furious.
She stopped talking to Jiang Bai and turned to shout at the nearby customers, "Everyone come and see! This slut is seducing someone else's husband. Are you really comfortable eating here?"
She lifted the curtain of a private room, where a group of ladies were having dinner. Upon seeing her rude actions, they all put down their chopsticks, their faces turning unfriendly.
Seeing the wealthy and powerful appearance of the other party, Madam Wang was somewhat intimidated. After hesitating for a moment, she straightened her chest, put on a mournful face, and shouted, "Everyone, come out and judge this for me!"
The male greeter standing at the door, seeing that something was wrong, had already run towards Hongding Restaurant.
Madam Wang was right about one thing: Wang Zhongyi had indeed been going this way a lot lately, which made Zhao Yi suspicious.
However, Wang Zhongyi didn't stay long, usually only for half an hour before leaving, so Jiang Bai didn't hear much of it.
He comes here often, and everyone here knows him. They know he is the landlord of the Yaoshanguan restaurant and the owner of Hongding Restaurant.
Jiang Bai, seeing that he couldn't eat anymore, took a deep breath and loudly addressed everyone, "I'm really sorry for disturbing your meal today. All the food you ordered is on the house. You can continue eating if you want, or you can ask the waiter to pack it up and take it home if you don't want to eat."
"I won't be taking any more orders. I need to clear up any misunderstandings this Mrs. Wang has made. I hope everyone understands."
"After you leave, the staff will give each of you a coupon, which will be 50% off your next purchase."
"In the future?" Madam Wang raised her eyebrows and said sarcastically, "You still want to keep the shop open? Let me tell you, no way! Pack your things and get out today!"
So that's what they were planning.
Jiang Bai patiently spoke kindly, not because he was good-tempered, but to make sure the surrounding onlookers understood the situation: "We signed a contract at the time, which stated that we would rent for at least one year. It's all clearly written down in black and white."
“I rent this courtyard for fifteen taels of silver per month. Although the price is not high, it is definitely not low. I do not believe that I have taken advantage of your family in any way.”
Upon hearing the price, a housekeeper whispered among herself, "This price isn't high at all. My yard is bigger and in a similar location, and it only cost seven taels to rent out. They even gave me a discount if I paid the annual rent."
"Fifteen taels of silver. An ordinary family would hardly earn that much in a year, yet the Wang family asks for that much in a month."
"She's only renting because she's on good terms with Jiang Bai; otherwise, who would rent such an expensive house?"
One busybody blurted out, "Boss Jiang, don't be afraid if she tells you to leave. Come to my unused yard, and I won't charge you a penny."
After saying that, she paused for a moment and added, "All you need to do is prepare three medicinal meals for my husband and me every day."
Everyone booed him.
Someone said, "If you can get meals provided, then come to my house; my yard is even bigger."
Jiang Bai hadn't expected the debate to go this way, and before he could refuse, Versailles-esque remarks kept coming.
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